How to raise Phalaenopsis in winter
Winter is a critical period for the growth of Phalaenopsis, and scientific maintenance methods directly affect the quality of flowering in the coming year. This paper starts from the three dimensions of temperature control, water management, and light demand, and combines the key points of winter fertilization to provide systematic solutions for flower friends. Precise temperature control, the core element of Phalaenopsis maintenance in winter. The optimal growth temperature zone for Phalaenopsis is 20-25℃, and the temperature difference between day and night needs to be maintained at least 5℃. It is recommended to turn on the heating equipment when the daytime temperature is lower than 18℃, and the night temperature needs to be stable above 15℃. When the temperature is ≤12℃ for more than 48 hours, the plants will experience irreversible frostbite, which is manifested by transparent leaves and browning of roots. Gradient water management Winter watering needs to follow the "three observation principles": observe the dryness of plant material (moss/bark), observe the color of the root system (silver white is a signal for water shortage), and observe the environmental humidity (maintain 60%-70%). Use the immersion method for watering. The amount of water injected each time is 1/3 of the volume of the basin. The water temperature needs to be within ±2℃ of room temperature to avoid cold water stimulating the root system. Phalaenopsis winter lighting strategy Full spectrum lighting plan requires 6-8 hours of light per day in winter, with the south-facing sill being the best location. Use a light meter to detect and maintain the light intensity of 15,000 - 20,000 Lux. When it has been raining continuously for more than 3 days, it is recommended to use LED fill light (blue light with a wavelength of 450nm + red light combination of 660nm) to fill light for 4 hours a day. Adjust the light angle and rotate the flowerpot 45° every 3 days to allow the plants to receive light evenly. Appropriately increasing the light to 25000Lux during the formation period of flower arrow can advance the flowering period by 15-20 days. Pay attention to the adjustment of blade spacing to avoid overlapping blade blocking. Precautions for nutrient replenishment When the ambient temperature is ≥18℃, special liquid fertilizer with NPK=10:30:20 can be applied every 20 days, and the dilution concentration needs to be reduced to 1/3 of the regular amount. If the temperature is lower than 15℃, stop fertilizer immediately to avoid salt accumulation and damage to the root system. Combined with foliar spraying of calcium and magnesium fertilizer once a month (EC value ≤0.8mS/cm), it can effectively improve cold resistance.
Through precise temperature control, scientific light management and reasonable fertilizer and water supply, Phalaenopsis can not only survive the winter safely, but also accumulate sufficient nutrients. It is recommended to regularly check the status of the plants and adjust the maintenance plan based on environmental parameters to lay a solid foundation for spring bloom.